ARMED FOR VICTORY

’ ’ Part One of this special series on Ma’amer Basi L’Gani 5743 (1983), entitled "BENEATH THE DARKNESS" is called “ARMED FOR VICTORY.” The prefix (covering chapters one and two) of the Ma’amer succinctly and uniquely recapitulates the thesis of the first 12 chapters of the original Ma’amer Basi L’Gani (5710). For more about this see below.* This opening Episode sets the stage for the exciting ground-breaking mystical journey that especially focuses on the theme of chapter 13 by traveling a familiar road in revisiting the themes of the earlier chapters. Yet, much of the scenery is redrawn and previous parameters are significantly expanded and re-envisioned with an illuminating new perspective! _____________________________________________ * The Ma’amarim of Basi L’Gani, are a collection of more than 40 uniquely themed Chassidic Discourses that were delivered by The Rebbe on, or in proximity to Yud Shvat, the Yartzeit-Hilulah of his predecessor Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson, between the years of 5711 and 5748 (1951 – 1988). All these ruminations were directly based on Ma’amer Basi L’Gani, 5710, which was released by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok on the eve of his terrestrial passing. This [original] Ma’amer is widely regarded as the Previous Rebbe’s Last Will and Testament, and our Rebbe used its themes as guiding lights for the unique mission of our Seventh Generation [of Chabad-Lubavitch] Chassidim. Kindred in containing many common concepts or ideas, each discourse incorporates a remarkably wide range of mystical Torah teachings and always radiates with multiple novel, fresh creative insights. The original rumination contains Twenty Chapters, and for nearly four decades, annually (in orderly successive fashion) the Rebbe would elaborate on themes found in a specific chapter, by delivering one or more Ma’amarim (formal dissertations of original Chassidic Teachings) almost always opening with the Midrashic words “Basi L’Gani.” This year, 5783, we are – once again – focused on chapter thirteen. As such, the discourses of 5723 (1963) and 5743 (1983) are studied by the global Chasidic community during the Yud Shvat season.